DIF Writer's Guide: Multimedia Sample

Multimedia Sample

Definition

The <Multimedia_Sample> field allows the author to provide information that will enable the display of a sample image, movie or sound clip within the DIF.

<File> describes the filename where the multimedia sample can be found. If the multimedia sample file resides on the GCMD server, the filename should be specified in this field. If the file is to be transferred to the GCMD, arrangements should be made with GCMD staff.(Note: this is not typical).
<URL> is the URL to be accessed.
<Format> is the format of the multimedia sample file (which may differ from the format of the data files), i.e. GIF, TIFF, JPEG.
<Caption> is a one-line description of the multimedia sample used as a caption when the sample is displayed. The caption is especially useful for images such as graphs and photos.
<Description> A more detailed description of the multimedia sample.

Syntax

<Multimedia_Sample>
   <File>text up to 80 characters</File>
   <URL>URL up to 600 character </URL>
   <Format>text up to 80 characters</Format>
   <Caption>text up to 80 characters</Caption>
   <Description>multiple lines of text</Description>
</Multimedia_Sample>

Each field may contain one line of 1 to 80 characters, except <URL> fields, which may contain one line of 1 to 600 characters. The <Description> field may contain multiple lines of 1 to 80 characters per line. Characters may be selected from the UTF-8 character set.

Usage

The <Multimedia_Sample> field is recommended and may not be repeated. Individual subfields may not be repeated.
If the <Multimedia_Sample> is populated in the DIF, a URL is required.
Keywords for the Format subfield may be selected from the Suggested Multimedia Sample Format Keywords List.

Example

<Multimedia_Sample>
    <URL>http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/geologic_wonders/images/Tmud_volcano.jpg</URL>
    <Format>GIF Image</Format>
    <Description> Sample browse graphic of the data set. </Description>
</Multimedia_Sample>

<Multimedia_Sample>
   <URL>http://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/RainfallAndPastureGrowth/Aus/Rainfall_Total.gif</URL>
   <Format>GIF</Format>
</Multimedia_Sample>

Visit GCMD website

This document should be cited as:
Directory Interchange Format (DIF) Writer's Guide, 2013.
Global Change Master Directory.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
[http://gcmd.nasa.gov/add/difguide/].